Pangaea Guides

Professional Sea Kayak and Glacier Guides

Pangaea Adventures hires to the highest standards and focuses on guides with a great balance of experience, safety, friendly personality, and education. Our guides care about the overall experience of every guest and strive to balance recreation and education. Each guide practices “leave no trace” ethics and creates a comfortable atmosphere for all levels of kayakers. Each head guide is trained in advanced wilderness medicine and rescue. Their backgrounds are all in guiding and teaching. We hire adults who are personable, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, responsible, and safe.

Tim Duffy aka “Duff”

Duff has many years of experience guiding paddling, backpacking and ski-mountaineering trips throughout Alaska. Originally a Maine-ah, Duff usually ski guides winters in Nevada, explores the world on vacation, and is also one of our boat captains. You can sit back and enjoy the cruise with Duff while he throws fun facts at you and sometimes even raps them. He acquired the company in 2008 and says the Valdez vistas still have him in awe.

Kristina Duffy

A native to the Chicago area, Kristina joins us for her ninth season as the office manager for Pangaea. She graduated with a double BA in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Lake Forest College outside of the great city, and has since spent her time roaming the U.S. and Latin America. Ask her about exploring Machu Picchu, starting an organic farm at LFC and also in Valdez, or learning first hand about immigration issues at the U.S./Mexico border. She’s done all these things! You can also ask her all about Pangaea Adventures, or about how she’s enjoyed her transition to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Ben Richard

“Bazooka Joe” drove all the way to the land of 3,000,000 lakes from the land of 10,000 lakes for his third summer with Pangaea. If you’re lucky enough to have him as your guide, you’ll probably see him on the stern of the boat with a pair of binoculars to his eyes, always scanning for wildlife with an enormous and inviting smile across his face. A proficient wildlife photographer, Ben is always excited and ready to capture the essence of the Prince William Sound and the many creatures that reside within this amazing seascape.

Ian Dahlen

Callsign: “Heimlicher”
Ian takes a break from the slopes to join us at sea level this summer as our most energetic guide. This Coloradoan sunshine is fun and witty and brings everyone together like grandma at Thanksgiving. You’d be jazzed to have him as your guide – his positive attitude and his smile are infectious and he’s a decent paddler, too. When Ian is not on the water or dreaming of skiing, he can be found at the disc golf fields. And don’t forget to ask him how he earned his call sign.

Hailey Vallejo

Callsign: “Eggie”
Originally from Riverside California, Hailey takes a break from her wilderness therapy work in Utah to explore all that Valdez has to offer. She thrives in any outdoor environment and brings an interesting perspective on life to our community. We enjoy her laugh and her handy(wo)man skills! If it’s broken, she can fix it. If you’re looking for Hailey, just look for the one wearing purple – hint hint her call sign derives from eggplant. If you score this gem as your guide, you’re in for a real adventure!

Katie Cassidy

Callsign: “Topper”
This Oklahoman was a debutante before she came to Valdez to escape the heat. She can show you how to properly curtsey! While she is paddling along, let her humor you with her quips and tips. Katie is all smiles as she takes on her role as gracefully as a sea lion. She’s cute and sweet but fierce and hungry. Just don’t get between her and her vegetables. And if you need advice on how to keep your feet dry throughout the day, Katie is your gal.

Anthony Harris

Pangaea is stoked to have Anthony driving the Mayflower Star this summer. This Alaskan native comes from Seward, so naturally he’s handy and he’s got some great facts up his sleeve for you. He grew up fishing these waters and has more sea time than the coast guard can count. While you’re on the boat with Anthony, he might tell you all about the life of a fisherman, but ask about his past life in jiu jitsu and MMA, or the tiny house he has built, or his dreams to start up his own charter boat someday. He’s down to earth and fun and he’s sure to get you to your destination safely.

Hallie Bontrager

“Pazookie” is as fun as her call sign. A tornado picked her up in Kansas and deposited her at our office, where we quickly realized that she has enough energy to make it sunny here year-round. We’re pretty sure she’s part of a secret organization; chances are, she knows somebody you know. When she’s not guiding she enjoys making crazy desserts, drinking coffee at The Coffee Co. and picking on “Milk Man” for his dairy consumption habit. At the end of a trip with Pazookie, you’ll be glad your path collided with hers, and you’ll feel like you picked up a new friend.

Ashleigh Bicknell

“Inquisitor” will always get to the bottom of things. She smuggled herself to Valdez from Salt Lake City in a box of gluten-free bread, and is super excited for her second year at Pangaea. She’ll never say no to a dip in glacial water, as long as it’s followed by a brisk jog to our sauna. When she is not guiding or studying, she enjoys paddle boarding, rock climbing and skiing. She’s got some sweet recipes up her sleeve and she’s always up for an adventure! She gets her handle from her relentless quest to answer all of the most important questions.

Annie Hill

Anastasia joins Pangaea for her second summer as our office manager, hailing from Maryland but most recently living in Mammoth Lakes. She loves traveling, biking in the rain, and enjoying all the tastes that Valdez has to offer. Her customer service skills are sweet and she’s always smiling and happy to answer questions. You can count on her to set you up with the perfect kayak adventure for your time in Valdez!

Kyle Paar

“Milk Man” was carved out of a block of cheddar in America’s dairyland. This rambunctious jokester enjoys soaking in the sights as much as he enjoys soaking in his daily milk baths. The rest of the guides are still scrambling to figure out how to pay him back for his pranks! He’s a company favorite as a post-tour-beer buddy, where you can hear about his world travels or any future construction projects he has planned for his tent. And, as much as he loves drinking it, he always gives more than 2% in his guiding.

Raymond McGettigan

Callsign: “Neverland”
This Rugby player came all the way from York, Pennsylvania. He is taking the summer off from studying environmental science to explore Valdez with Pangaea. He is helpful in the office, on the water taxis, shuttling guests around, and guiding kayaking trips. So no matter where you see Raymond, he is sure to brighten your day with his big smile and his upbeat attitude.

Amanda Bennett

Amanda joins Pangaea this summer after hearing tales of the Great North from her Alta buddies. She has a great sense of humor and not a negative bone in her body. She loves science fiction and being outdoors as much as possible, often camping, rock climbing, or skiing. She’s also quite the artist; ask her about the snowboards, hats, and shoes, among other items, that she has painted for fun. Amanda is a great addition to our team and when you encounter her, either on a kayak tour or in the office, you’ll see why!

Seth Mabbitt

Callsign: Peach Fuzz.
It’ll be an even better day if you happen to score a trip with Seth as your guide! Unable to keep away from Valdez, Seth ditches the sweltering summer heat of South Carolina, where he is finishing up his degree in outdoor education and leadership at North Greenville University. He’s a bright, down-to-earth, east-to-talk-to, well-mannered gentleman, and a serious pleasure to spend time with. A well-rounded outdoor enthusiast, he loves being on the water, climbing, or crashing BBQs.

Natan Shayevich

Handle: Azerbaijan, The Wonder Bread Man.
Hailing from Chicago, Natan joins Pangaea as one of our interns for the summer. With a head packed full of stats, Natan will never cease to inform and amaze you while out with him for a paddle. While Natan isn’t shredding the office or on the water leading trips, you can find him strumming guitar or in the kitchen making tasty dishes you’ve never heard of while listening to a plethora of culturally diverse music. Be sure to ask him about one of his many exotic travel adventures abroad!

Hannah McGowan

Hailing from Memphis, TN, Hannah came to Valdez for the first time as an intern with Pangaea in the summer of 2007. Mystified by the grandeur of Prince William Sound and fascinated by its rich biodiversity, she has returned to Pangaea for many summers to share this unique place with others as a lead guide and trainer. She has pursued studies in marine ecology and wilderness leadership at Prescott College, so she is psyched and well equipped to nerd out about sea life, especially whales and intertidal invertebrates. Since graduating, she has fallen in love with rock and mountain climbing, turning her attention to desert splitters, granite masses, and icy massifs between ski seasons, which she usually spends skiing up and down the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Feeling the pull of the great north and it’s rugged coastline, she often emerges from the landlocked mountains and deserts to return to us in Prince William Sound.

Emma Houston

Easy E is one of those gals that you always want on your team. She’s got more experience under her (tow)belt than most folks twice her age. An Environmental Studies and Ecology major from the University of Maine, Emma joins Pangaea for yet another summer as our lead guide. Growing up in a family of raft guides, Emma learned water safety and paddle techniques at a young age. When she’s not practicing her rolls, leading multi sport adventures, or helping others learn the ropes, Emma enjoys running, skiing, berry picking, a good book, and exploring the world. She’s fun, sweet, wicked sharp, and she’ll blow your mind with her knowledge of Alaska!

Sam Benoit

Hailing from land of the second best cheddar in the world, Sam got his start as an outdoor professional by logging many hours in the woods and on the mountains and waters of Vermont. Since 2010, Sam has led clients on all of the tours Pangaea has to offer, has served as the resident handy man, is a nasty mechanic, obtained his Master License and captained Pangaea’s water taxis, and has operated as a manager and guide trainer. Sam is neither bashful nor unlearned in the flora and fauna of the region so even though he looks like he just crawled out from the depths of the Mayflower Star’s engine room, don’t be shy about asking him a question!

Pete Cueno

Pete Cueno (pronounced Cwain-yo) emerged from the caves of Maquoketa, Iowa where he spent 18 years wrestling corn bears and breaking hearts before earning his B.S. at the “Harvard of the Midwest,” as well as the title of “Third Most Successful Cueno Child.” After reaching his full potential in the heartland, Pete set off to become Pangaea’s most triple rectified guide, whose wilderness experience, in addition to his countless sea kayak, backpack, and raft expeditions, ranges from alpine ascents in Patagonia to backcountry snowboard trips throughout the Western United States. In his many years with Pangaea, the Sweeter Sueño has led every single trip on the menu, as well as operated as general manager, whitewater extraordinaire, and guide-training guru. He is a witty fountain of knowledge and will lay down his all to ensure that you have the best experience possible. This guy is the real deal.

Thomas Mooney-Myers

“Mas” came to us after having developed his love of sea kayaking and whitewater in the Pacific Northwest. As comfortable charging the rapids of Keystone Canyon as he is paddling in the serene beauty of Columbia Bay, Thomas will make you feel confident and at ease on any trip out with him. He’s a quick-wit and always has a fun, positive buzz about him. Well known for his insatiable appetite for knowledge, Thomas cannot wait to fill your ear with all of the interesting factoids he has bottled up inside. Feel free to snuggle up close, and ask why the baby seal is his spirit animal.

Mike Dooley

Mike Dooley, aka “Dooley”, aka “Baldy”, is a legend around Pangaea. He first joined the team as an arctic intern, then returned as a lead guide for many years, and now often helps out with training. He is a most enthusiastic guide with a true love for what he does. Graduating with a degree in Environmental Education and also becoming an NOLS kayaking instructor, Dooley is sure to teach you a thing or two. If you ever have the good fortune of meeting this genuine pleasure, be sure to ask him about his cheeseburger addiction, or unmistakable support for the Boston Bruins.

Ruby Rose

Born and raised in Valdez, meet our team mascot, Ruby! She’s Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog, but her red heeler genes run strong. She loves swimming and playing frisbee most, but will join any adventure you take her on. She enjoys biking, hiking, kayaking, sun bathing and boat rides and is always on the hunt for a stinky salmon carcass. Ruby joined the Duffy family and Pangaea team in 2017 and is always making new friends. Stop by our office to say hello sometime, and look out for her many siblings around town!

Dylan Duffy

Our youngest guy joins the team just shy of 3 years of age. He didn’t have much of a choice, as he was born into Pangaea and has been steeped in the adventure since conception. He enjoys helping mom in the office, driving boats with dad, or practicing slap shots in the garage with his pal Ruby. Ask Dylan to help you fix a kayak, and he’ll be there with his toy tools in a heartbeat!

Ava Duffy

Ava is in the same boat as Dylan. Literally. She can’t escape the lifestyle that is Pangaea now that she’s entered the arena. She graces us with her silly smile and her bouncy curls, and her determination to follow her big brother everywhere. At barely even a year old, Ava has already spent countless hours deckhanding and helping with reservations, but she is best at making sure mom and dad stay on task and are productive. This gal is ready to roll at any minute and we anxiously await her kayak skills to show themselves!

Pangaea Guides

Professional Sea Kayak and Glacier Guides

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Tim Duffy aka “Duff”

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Kristina Duffy

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